A cross-section of people from different walks of life staged a demonstration at the entrance of the Tiruvarur railway junction on Tuesday condemning the Southern Railway administration’s decision to reroute the Tambaram - Karaikal - Tambaram express (Train No. 16175 / 16176) via Peralam and Tirunallar with effect from May 20 onwards. The train will be extended up to Velankanni from that date.
The demonstration which lasted nearly two hours saw the participation of members of traders association, rail users associations, consumer and service organisations besides a section of the general public. It was led by the Tiruvarur - Vijayapuram Chamber of Commerce president C. Balamurugan.
Mr. Balamurugan said the Tambaram - Karaikal - Tambaram express is presently being operated via Tiruvarur in both directions for several years. The connectivity to Tiruvarur would be cut once the express train is rerouted via Peralam and Tirunallar from May 20 onwards which would affect the travellers of Tiruvarur and its neighbouring areas, he added. Instead of rerouting this train, the railway administration could operate a new train from Velankanni to Tambaram via Karaikal - Peralam BG section, he suggested.
